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Our Adoption Process...

The Gabriel Foundation Parrot Adoption Information

We’re delighted you are interested in the birds and programs of The Gabriel Foundation. We have so many wonderful birds in our adoption program just waiting for their forever home! You’ve taken the first step toward adding a feathered friend to your family.

What is the adoption process?We ask that all adopters begin the process by taking a tour of the Aviary in Elizabeth where the majority of our birds are housed. This will allow you to see a variety of species of birds, see enrichments and housing options and get an idea how the birds are fed and cared for on a daily basis. We will also ask that you fill out an Adoption Application. We use this valuable tool to help us find a bird that fits with your personality, lifestyle, experience and expectations. There is a required class called Beyond Birdie Basics, which is offered every month as an online class through a Yahoo group. We also offer the Mini Birdie Basics class for those interested in the smaller species of parrots such as Cockatiels, Lovebirds and Budgies. Once you have chosen the bird (or birds) that you wish to take into your family, we will do a home visit to help you get everything ready for your new feathered companion.

What if I already have birds in my home?Great! You have some idea what you are getting yourself into! Every bird that comes into The Gabriel Foundation is screened for viruses and general health. We require birds in the home of the potential adopter to meet those same standards – for the health and safety of our birds as well as theirs. The medical requirements have been set up by our Medical Director, Dr. Noel. A copy of those requirements will be provided.

What are the fees involved in adoption from The Gabriel Foundation?There is a $75 ($45 for smaller birds) application fee. This fee covers a one year membership to The Gabriel Foundation (or one year extension if you are already a member – value $25), the Beyond Birdie Basics class (value $15), an educational DVD called “Captive Foraging” (value $25) and a book called “A Parrot for Life” (value $20). Regardless of whether you choose to continue with the adoption process or not, these educational materials will be extremely helpful when you do bring a new bird into your home.

The adoption fees vary from bird to bird. The adoption fees range from $50 for the smaller species of parrots up to $850 for the larger Cockatoos and Macaws. Once you have chosen a specific bird (or birds) we can give you an exact fee. In general, you can expect to pay an adoption fee that is approximately 50% of what you would pay from a private party or retail operation.

How long does the adoption take to complete?Generally, depending on how quickly you “connect” with a bird, you can expect the adoption process to take between 6-10 weeks for the bird to come to your home. There is a 90 day probationary adoption period initially during which time you will be asked to send regular reports to us on how the adjustment is going. At the end of the 90 days, assuming all is going well and you wish to make the bird a permanent member of your household, permanent adoption paperwork will be sent for you to complete.

It seems like The Gabriel Foundation makes the adoption process very difficult! Why is this?The combined years of experience we all bring to The Gabriel Foundation ranging from veterinary medicine, aviculture, companion parrot care and parrot welfare has helped develop a protocol that sets the birds up for the best chance of success. It is not our intent to frustrate anyone or make it impossible to add a bird to your family. We take the responsibility for each bird in our care very seriously and we want them to be successful in their new home. We take time to make sure the new family has all the tools needed for long term success. We are invested in the lifetime of each bird that comes through The Gabriel Foundation and we appreciate that you are taking the time to commit to that same level of care.

A downloadable Adoption Application is available on our website www.thegabrielfoundation.org

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